APOLOGIES
Cllr. Ann Jones
PRESENT
Cllr. Owen Lloyd Roberts (Chair), Margaret Roberts (Vice-Chair), John Richards, Lisa Birks, Eluned Williams, Ffion Williams, Gwenda Griffith, Eifion Williams, Dewi Tudur Lewis, and Cllrs. Annwen Hughes and Gwynfor Owen (Gwynedd Council)
Before starting the general meeting, it was agreed to discuss what was said in the public meeting organized by the Clerk on behalf of the Council with members of the Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure Board. There was a discussion about whether the Council should proceed with the precept plan to contribute a specific amount of money to the centre, specifically towards maintaining and operating the swimming pool, which this year would amount to £4,412.22. It was agreed to pay half of this amount only so that the Board would have time to receive the £100k grant they had applied for and also to see if they were successful in obtaining solar panels. It was agreed that the Council would need to see the following conditions in place before they would be ready to pay the remaining half of the money: 1) More members on the Board with specific expertise in certain areas, 2) A business plan to be created, 3) The Council to receive a monthly report along with a financial statement from the Board, and 4) The Council to be able to appoint one Member to attend Board meetings.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were made on any matter.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting on January 16, 2023, were accepted as correct.
MATTERS ARISING
Budget Plan
It was reported that £16,249.80 (including bank costs) had been spent since the start of the new financial year, which was £19,177.62 less than the budgeted expenditure for the year.
CCTV Cameras
Cllr. John Richards reported to the Clerk that the work to get the equipment operational in Llandecwyn had yet to be completed due to ongoing issues with BT, and this work was expected to be completed on the 28th of this month. It was agreed to hold the remaining amount owed to Mr. Kevin Jones for the installation of the cameras, except for £500 which would be retained until all work was completed.
Playground in the Village
Cllr. Lisa Birks reported that she had received a visit from Creative Play to carry out an inspection at the site and would send the report to everyone. The company suggested removing the rubber pieces and installing a hard rubber floor under the swing chair, and everyone agreed to this.
Yellow Lines
The Clerk reported that she had further contacted Gwynedd Council regarding this matter, and an officer sent her a plan asking to remove the existing double yellow lines and establish parking spaces or areas, and to propose new yellow lines for the rest of the road. This is what the Council wanted, and she forwarded this to Cllr. Dewi Tudur Lewis for his opinion. He responded by stating that this plan was acceptable. The Clerk further reported that she had sent this information to Gwynedd Council and had received a copy of a letter that would appear in the papers regarding this matter, with some people having until the 31st of this month to submit comments. Cllr. Gwynfor Owen reported that he had received several objections to this plan and had also submitted an objection and suggested having a site meeting, which everyone agreed to, and Cllr. Dewi Tudur Lewis would represent the Council at this meeting.
Public Seating
Cllr. Margaret Roberts reported that she had started going around the public seats and had been taking pictures.
Land near Bron Trefor
Cllr. John Richards reported that he had received a plan regarding this matter and had passed it on to Mr. and Mrs. Harri Pugh, who would seek legal advice on the issue.
Opening Tenders for Grass Cutting
The Clerk reported that she had received one tender for the work from Mr. Meirion Griffith, Islwyn, Talsarnau at £14.00 per hour to cut the grass on public paths and one at £14.00 per hour for cutting the grass at Llanfihangel y Traethau and Llandecwyn cemeteries. It was agreed to accept Mr. Meirion Griffith’s tender.
GWYNEDD COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Annwen Hughes reported that she had been informed that a hub had been established for the Tackle Teams, which is now live within the Members’ Portal. This hub will enable us to create a work request, access work program/itinerary details for the Teams, receive information on the progress/work of the Teams, and submit feedback on the Teams’ work. Finding efficiency savings of £11 million was the priority in time for the budget on March 2. It was noted that £2 million would be drawn from reserves to reduce the increase in council tax. A final agreement was made in a full Council meeting held on March 2 for a council tax increase of 4.95%, meaning a weekly increase of £1.45 for Band D properties, totaling £76 a year.
Cllr. Gwynfor Owen reported that he was unhappy that the work on the public path down Station Road had not been completed despite Gwynedd Council saying it was fine. He asked where the Members, apart from the main street, would like to see a 20 mph limit established, as had been suggested in Llandecwyn and Ynys.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Building an affordable home, creating a curb, extending the access track, and changes to the current vehicle entrance – Land near Tŷ Mawr, Talsarnau (NP5/77/347)
Support for this application on the condition that it will be a home for a local person, to be purchased or rented for local people.
Listed Building Consent for the proposed renovation of Capel Soar (Grade II Listed) along with the construction of a wood storage shed as part of ecological mitigation measures – Capel Soar, Soar (NP5/77/LB65B)
Support for this application.
Listed Building Consent to change the defective roof tiles on a yard building – Glyn Cywarch, Talsarnau (NP5/77/LB230B)
Support for this application.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported that there was £37,340.44 in the current account and £4,165.26 in the reserves account.
Payments during the month
B.T. – £14.16 – phone line for CCTV cameras (10.02.23)
B.T. – £33.54 – phone line for CCTV cameras (13.03.23)
HMRC – £100.00 – Clerk’s salary tax
Mrs. Annwen Hughes – £1,398.00 – 6 months’ salary and costs
Mr. M. J. Kerr – £90.00 – opening the grave of the late Mr. Lenard Brittland Horne (cremation)
Village Hall Committee – £180.00 – hire of committee room for 2 years
Mr. Meirion Griffith – £200.00 – maintenance of Rhiw Garden
Mr. Kevin Jones – £1,475.00 – installation of CCTV cameras
Receipts during the month
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – rent for Capel y Graig garage (February)
Pritchard and Griffiths – £223.00 – funeral of the late Mr. Lenard Brittland Horne (cremation)
Mr. K. Beale – £25.00 – rent for Capel y Graig garage (March)
Requests for financial assistance
Village Hall Committee – £1,500.00
Talsarnau Nursery Committee – £1,500.00
Ysgol Ardudwy – £1,000.00
Ysgol Hafod Lon – £1,000.00
Air Ambulance Wales – £1,000.00
CFFI Meirionnydd – £200.00
The Treasurer further reported that she had asked Ms. Luned Fon Jones from the Finance Department, Gwynedd Council, if she would be willing to act as the Council’s Internal Auditor again this year, and she agreed.
The Treasurer reported that the money from the Morris Hughes for Poor account had been transferred to Ardudwy Evangelical Church, and that account had now been closed. The Clerk also reported that she had completed the relevant forms and had been informed that this charity had been removed from the charities register since the 13th of last month.
CORRESPONDENCE
Gwynedd Council – Highways and Borough Department
A response was received from the above regarding issues raised at the last Council meeting, noting that if the Council wanted new salt bins, they were available at a cost of £400 each to the Community Council. If the Council agrees to pay this amount, an officer from the department will go out to the site to ensure that the locations are suitable. It was noted that the Road Inspector would visit locations where water was standing on the road, namely at the Cefn Gwyn crossroads and near Stabl Mail, and arrange fieldwork as needed. The Road Inspector will also arrange for the road sweeper to clean the roadside from the Bryn Eithin estate and the road up to Soar. The hole in the road near Bryn Golau, Soar has been filled, and the hole in the Glan y Wern culvert has also been filled. It was agreed to order two salt bins to be placed above the Bryn Eithin estate and at Capel Soar.
Gwynedd Council – Environment Department
A letter was received from the above regarding charging points for electric vehicles and asking if there would be an opportunity to attract grant money in the future for the introduction of more charging points on land under the responsibility of the Community Council or the local community; they would be very grateful if the Community Council could nominate these. It was agreed that there was no suitable place to have them.
Ysgol Ardudwy
A letter was received from the above requesting financial assistance towards upgrading the current tennis court at the school by installing a new fence around it and developing a multi-purpose field. It was agreed to contribute £1,000 towards this work.
Ms. Rachel Heal
A letter was received from the above, a parent of a child attending Ysgol Hafod Lon, asking if the Council would be willing to provide financial assistance towards purchasing a special bike for children at Ysgol Hafod Lon, Penrhyndeudraeth. It was agreed to contribute £1,000 towards purchasing the bike.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was disappointment expressed that the “no overnight parking” sign had not yet been installed near Capel Soar.
Cllr. Dewi Tudur Lewis thanked the Council for their contribution to the New Chapel for their Warm Welcome scheme.
SIGNED……………………………………………..Chair
DATE………………………………………………
English (UK) 
Cymraeg